New Zealand government urged to stop insurers using genetic test results

Health advocates in New Zealand are lobbying the Government to ban insurance companies from considering genetic test results when offering cover.

The calls have been led by the AGenDA group, who want the government to prohibit or restrict insurers from requesting or using genetic test results from people seeking life, trauma and health insurance. The group of academics cites studies indicating that some people avoid seeking potentially lifesaving genetic tests, for fear it may prevent them from obtaining insurance or make premiums unaffordable. Countries including Canada, Switzerland and the UK already have restrictions in place, with Australia also set to introduce a ban.

'The Australian government has committed to a total legislative ban, with no exceptions, limits, and caps. The life insurance industry has also supported this legislation,' said AGenDA spokesperson Dr Jane Tiller from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. 'We hope our neighbours in New Zealand follow our lead in protecting people fully against genetic discrimination.'

Supporters of the ban include Jody Bews-Hair, a trustee of the Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer Trust, and Cancer Society president Julian Grennell. Both have had preventative surgery after genetic testing revealed a high risk of cancer: Bews-Hair chose to undergo a double mastectomy and removal of her ovaries after discovering she had a BRCA2 gene mutation, and losing family members to cancer.

Grennell, who had his stomach removed after finding out he carries a gene variant associated with hereditary gastric cancer, suggested insurers have nothing to fear from the ban. He told Waikato Times: 'My load on the insurance system is far lower than if I had not been tested and had got cancer. Then they would really have to pay out.'

However, insurers including the country's largest provider, Southern Cross, have reservations on the issue. The Financial Services Council (FSC), the life and health insurance industry's political lobbying association, is calling for a full and proper consultation.

FSC chief executive Kirk Hope told The Post: 'It's critical to understand the consequences of bans and restrictions seen in other jurisdictions – particularly impacts on the availability, pricing, and use of genetic testing for diagnostic and preventive care, and the broader effects on the health system – before making any decisions.'

A spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson confirmed that a consultation is likely, but the Cabinet had not yet made a decision. They indicated this would likely happen over the coming weeks.